Where to See Them: the 15 Best Dolphin & Whale Harbour Cruises

1.Akaroa Dolphins ~ Harbour Nature Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,143 reviews · from $80Our pick

Spend two hours on a roomy catamaran exploring Akaroa Harbour, Banks Peninsula and the Akaroa Lighthouse. Skippers such as George, Dave and Joe share local stories while trained dogs help locate Hector’s dolphins. Your ticket includes a New Zealand beer, wine or soft drink and a home-baked cookie.

“So diverse sampling of history of surrounds, wildlife variety encountered. Great weather and welcome complimentary cold beer.”

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2.Sightseeing Harbor Tour & Dolphin Watch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 649 reviews · 1h 30m · from $40

Spend 90 minutes on Charleston Harbor with a licensed English-speaking guide, passing Fort Sumter, USS Yorktown, the Battery, Castle Pinckney, and Ravenel Bridge. Guides such as Denny, Vicky, Vic, and Russell have been praised for lively storytelling. Dolphins may appear, but sightings are never guaranteed.

“Very nice cruise on the water and a very knowledgeable guide. We even saw some dolphins. Well worth the time and money.”

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3.Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 620 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $45

Board the 84-foot Schooner Pride at Aquarium Wharf for a 90-minute, mostly quiet sail around Charleston Harbor. The crew raises the sails by hand, points out Fort Sumter, Patriots Point, USS Yorktown, the Battery, and the Ravenel Bridge, and may let you help with the lines. Bring snacks, buy drinks on board, and watch for dolphins.

“The crew is pleasant and outgoing. It was really a nice experience especially for my wife who is not a friend of water.”

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4.Dolphin-Watching Speedboat Cruise in Destin Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 423 reviews · from $58

Set out from 316 Harbor Boulevard on Screaming Eagle Sports’ small, shaded speedboat for a 45 to 60 minute cruise through Destin Harbor and the Gulf. The crew watches for dolphins, stingrays, and other marine life, while music, jokes, and bursts of speed keep the ride lively. Children may take a turn as captain when requested.

“Just really enjoyed talking to the captain and they ride the dolphin employees were being kinda slack lol but had a great time”

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5.30 Minute Harbour Boat Cruise with Seal Watching

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 376 reviews · 30 min

Board a double-decker trawling boat at Quay 5 for a 30-minute cruise around Cape Town’s working harbor. You’ll see seals in the water, boats at the quays, and waterfront views with English commentary. It is a simple, family-friendly outing with no hotel transfer, food, or drinks included.

“I had a great experience, definitely worth the price!”

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6.30 Minute Seal-Watching Harbour Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 267 reviews · 30 min

Join City Sightseeing South Africa outside the Two Oceans Aquarium for a 30-minute harbour cruise. You’ll watch Cape fur seals around the harbour, see Table Mountain and Signal Hill from the water, and hear recorded commentary in 15 languages. It is short, affordable, and easy to fit between Waterfront attractions.

“I liked the ride but the narration was lost midway through the journey.”

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7.Schooner Sailing Harbor Tour & Dolphin Watch

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 255 reviews · from $48

Join the captain and crew aboard the three-masted Schooner Pride at Aquarium Wharf for a 1.5-hour Charleston Harbor sail. You can help raise sails reaching 84 feet, pass Fort Sumter and Castle Pinckney, and watch for dolphins. This is mainly a peaceful boat ride, not a fully narrated history tour. Drinks are sold on board.

“The crew was very personable and the ship was perfect. They raised sail as soon as the ship was away from the dock. Well priced and worth it.”

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8.Eco-Friendly Whale Watching Tour from Ma’alaea Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 184 reviews · 2 hours · from $88

Join PWF Eco Adventures for a two-hour whale watch from Ma'alaea Harbor, led by certified Marine Naturalists. Watch for breaching humpbacks, mothers with calves, and competing males, then listen to underwater songs through hydrophones. Kids can join the Jr. Naturalist program, and every cruise includes a free return trip if no whales are seen.

“Very professional and animal-sensitive. Highly educational. Qualified ship captain and educated and qualified tour guide.”

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9.Sunset Dolphin Watching Cruise in Destin Harbor

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 172 reviews · from $63

Board the Screaming Eagle at Destin Harbor for a small-group sunset ride with a captain and crew who look for wild dolphins, share local tips, and take photos. The 45-minute cruise returns to the same dock. Expect music, quick turns, open sunset views, and a maximum of 14 passengers.

“Nice experience and the crew was great they did there best to make sure we seen dolphins and were successful.”

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10.Whale Watching Cruise from Hillarys Boat Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 127 reviews · from $49

Join Rottnest Fast Ferries at Hillarys Boat Harbour for a two-hour humpback whale cruise from September through November. You’ll watch from three viewing areas, hear live commentary from a certified marine biologist, and use the open-air deck for photos. Optional coach pickup is available from selected Perth hotels for the 9 AM cruise.

“Loved it! Saw so many whales and they came close to the boat. So worth the money!”

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11.Boothbay Harbor Cruise: Lighthouses, Lobster Haul, and Seals

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 124 reviews · 1h 30m · from $40

Spend 90 minutes on Cap'n Fish's Cruises exploring Boothbay Harbor, its islands, coastline, two lighthouses, and seal rocks. A live English-speaking guide explains Maine's lobster industry while the crew hauls a trap. Choose padded indoor seating, the upper deck, or the galley with its 360-degree view. Food and drinks cost extra.

“being on the water and seeing the animals in the water”

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12.St. Augustine Dolphin Watch and Historical Harbor Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 67 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $42

Board a roomy catamaran at 250 Vilano Rd for a 90-minute cruise through St. Augustine’s historic harbor. The crew looks for wild bottlenose dolphins and points out sights such as Castillo de San Marcos, the lighthouse, and the Great Cross. Beer, wine, soda, snacks, shade, and a restroom are included.

“Excellent and very friendly Captain and Crew! We were able to see a few dolphins and have a few cocktails. Great time!”

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13.2 Hour Whale-Watching Cruise from Hillarys Boat Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 57 reviews · from $55

Cruise from Hillarys Boat Harbour during Western Australia’s humpback migration, usually from late August to November. A marine biologist provides live commentary while you search for whales and dolphins. Choose coach pickup from Perth or make your own way to the harbour. The cruise lasts two hours, with extra time for the harbour precinct.

“Our tour actually stayed out an extra half hour because there was a lot of whale activity. So nice they have that flexibility. Boat ride was a little rough, but expected. Once we were out and seeing activity they opened up the outside decks. TherRead more”

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14.Half Hour Seal and Harbour Cruise from Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews

Set out from Quay 5 on the double-decker Southern Cross for a 30-minute cruise through Cape Town’s working harbor. You’ll see seals on the floats, bird life, ships, mountains, and the V&A Waterfront from the water. A guide provides commentary, music, and a few jokes. Drinks are available to buy.

“It was beautiful. We loved the guy who was talking on the microphone his funny.The cruise was great .30 minutes felt like an hour”

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15.St. Augustine: Dolphin Watching Harbor Tour with Drinks

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 41 reviews · 1h 30m · from $42

Cruise from Vilano Beach aboard Fury’s catamaran for dolphin watching, harbor views, and sights of St. Augustine. You’ll have sodas, water, beer, wine, snacks, and nautical bathrooms on board. Captain Andrew and crew member Riley have earned praise for their friendly, family-friendly style, though dolphin sightings are never guaranteed.

“A perfect day out on the water! Lovely clean boat, excellent young crew, and great views all around. This is a wonderful way to get to know the area; highly recommended!”

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